Becoming Real Adults: Lessons from Kim Jang-Ha

In an age saturated with provocative content, traces of warmth can still be found on OTT platforms and in theaters. One such example is the humble back of Kim Jang-Ha, seen walking in his worn-out suit. Known for saying, “Money is like manure—it stinks when piled up, but becomes a good fertilizer when spread out,” he is a man who shared everything he had with those in need. Interest in this remarkable adult has recently resurged thanks to the 2023 documentary “A Man Who Heals the City” and the book “That’s Enough Giving” When Moon Hyung-Bae, former acting Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court, gained public attention during last month’s ruling on Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment, it was revealed that Mr. Kim had been quietly supporting Moon since his school days—a connection that brought Mr. Kim’s legacy back into focus.

In the about two-hour long documentary “A Man Who Heals the City,” Mr. Kim is portrayed as a true philanthropist. For over 60 years, he ran a herbal medicine shop in Gyeongnam and used his earnings to provide scholarships for more than 1,000 students. He established shelters for women suffering from domestic violence and generously funded struggling local media and cultural organizations. He donated a high school he founded to the state and tirelessly supported movements advocating for social equity. Practicing the Buddhist principle of 無住相布施(Moo-joo-sahng Boh-seh)—giving without seeking recognition—he preferred his good deeds to remain unseen. His goal was simply to extend a helping hand to the marginalized and ensure no one was unjustly excluded. When people offered to repay him, he would ask them to repay society instead.

The so-called “Kim Jang-Ha kids” who benefited from his support carry his spirit forward by doing good in various corners of society. Several former scholarship recipients featured in media stories pledge to live lives worthy of his legacy. Former Judge Moon Hyung-Bae, whose life as an honest judge has been re-highlighted, is also one of the many Kim Jang-Ha Kids. It was also revealed that a man who was once spotlighted as a “model citizen” on an MBC entertainment program a decade ago—recognized for being the only one to follow traffic laws when others did not—was in fact one of Mr. Kim’s scholarship recipients. His legacy of goodness clearly continues to uphold public virtue in many unseen ways.

Mr. Kim’s life story has left a deep impression even on those who were not directly supported by him. Perhaps that’s because our society lacks enough of such genuine adults. In a competitive world where sayings like “Nice guys finish last” are mistaken for life wisdom, many people tend to prioritize personal gain—even at the expense of everyone else.

Amid this reality, Kim Jang-Ha serves as a compass for what it means to be an “adult” today. The film reminds us of the virtuous mindset and responsibilities of adulthood that we may have forgotten. PNU Graduate Kim Hyun-Ji (Dept. of Media & Communication, 99), the MBC Gyeongnam producer who created “A Man Who Heals the City,” told <Channel PNU> in 2024 that she hoped the film would prompt viewers to ask, “Are we living the right way?” Her goal was to show that living kindly is not only brave but also the foundation for stronger solidarity.

The essence of the “Kim Jang-Ha spirit” is not exclusive to his scholarship recipients. As Mr. Kim once said, “The world is supported by ordinary people.” With a belief in the power of collective goodwill and a desire to become better adults, we all can help strengthen the fabric of our society. In a world where only greedy competition intensifies more and more, this is why I strongly want to recommend this work to my peers who are the future generation. In an age starving for true adults, we must ask ourselves: What kind of adults will we become?

Reporter Yoon Da-Gyo

Translated by Seo Yoo-Jung